Boiler-flue cleaner.



J. W. CARLSON.

BOILER FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1914.

Patented June 29, 1915.

Witnesses Attorneys Us: NORRIS FETERS CO.. PHOTO LITHO" WASHINGTON. D. C.

SAT

JbI-IAN W. CARLSON, OF CLALLAM BAY, WASHINGTON;

BOILER-FLUE CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June as, 1915.

Application filed November 30, 1914. Serial No. 874,769.

flue or tube cleaners, and aims to provide a novel and improved device of that character.

It is the object of the invention, to provide a flue or tube cleaner embodying a unique assemblage-of the component parts whereby the cleaner will be simple, durable and strong in construction, the same possessing few movable parts and eliminating bolts, screws and similar securing elements which are liable to work loose, and the construction of the present device being such that it will be convenient, practical and efficient in its use.

A specific object of the invention, is the provision of novel means for adjusting or spreading the said bars or shanks whereby the cutters may be adjusted or separated easily and effectively.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved cleaner or scraper head. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are cross sectional views taken on the lines 3-3, 44 and 55, respectively, of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the invention, there are provided four bars 1 of square cross section, and which form the prongs or shanks carrying the cutters, the basal ends 2 of the bars 1 being laid or clustered snugly together with their sides in contact, and being received by a square or rectangular socket or recess 3 provided in the body member 4. The body member 4 is provided with a threaded bore or aperture 5 opposite the socket or recess 3, for engaging the body member 4 over the end of a pole, staff or handle for manipulating the cleaner head in the usual manner. The basal ends 2 of the bars 1 are preferably brazed within the socket 3, and it is preferable to provide op positesides of the body member 4 with openings or apertures 6 leading to the socket 3 and ends 2 of the bars 1, and to fill the openlngs or apertures 6 with solder or other fusible material 7, for assisting in securing the ends 2 of the bars 1 firmly in place within the body member 4. As a further means for securing the ends 2 of the bars 1 in place within the body member 4, a locking pin 8 is engaged through the body member 4 between the opposite pairs of bars 1, the pin 8 being preferably engaged through the openings or apertures 6, and the opposite pairs of bars 1 being provided with notches 9 through which the pin 8 is engaged, and whereby the bars 1 will be locked against outward or longitudinal movement.

The bars 1 project outwardly from the body member 4, to provide the shanks or prongs 10, which diverge from each other, and which are formed at their free ends, with spirally or helically curved portions 11 forming cutters which are adapted and arranged to expand tightly within the flue or tube for cutting the crust or deposit from the inner walls thereof when the cleaner head is rotated and reciprocated in the usual manner.

The spiral portions or cutters 11 are provided at their free ends with curved fingers 12 which converge, to enable the cleaner head to be readily introduced into the flue or tube, the fingers on being inserted into the flue or tube causing the cutters to be contracted, as a whole, against the tension of the shanks or prongs 10, and whereby the cutters will be properly engaged within the flue or tube.

As a means for separating the shanks 10, tapered pins 13 which are disposed at right angles relative to one another, and which are spaced longitudinally, are engaged between the opposite pairs of bars 1 at the meeting or inner ends of the shanks 10, the bars 1 being provided with notches 14 through which the pins 13 are engaged. It is an easy matter to spread or separate the respective pairs of shanks 10, by simply striking the largest ends or heads of the pins 13 by a hammer or other suitable implement, which will drive the pins 13 farther between crease the tension of the shanks 10 when the cutters are introduced into the flue or tube.

The present cleaner head is employed in the usual manner for cleaning out flues or tubes of boilers and the like, and the construction of the present device is suc as to carry out the desired objects.

What is claimed is I 1. A cleaner head comprising a body member, aplurality of resilient shanks s'ecured to the body and diverging away from each other toward their free ends, the free ends of the shanks having cutters, and a taper pin enga ed between the basal por tions of the shan s for separating the shanks when it is driven inwardly.

2; A cleaner head comprising a body member having a socket, four bars having their basal ends fitting together and secured within the said socket, the bars projecting from the body member to provide shanks, the shanks diverging from each other and having cutters at their free ends, and a pair of tapered pins disposed at right angles to each other and spaced longitudinally, and engaged between the res 'ective airs of bars at the inner ends of t e shah is, the bars having notches through which the said 'pins are engaged. V i v In testimony that I claiinthe foregoing as my own, I have iere'to aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

I JOHAN W: CARLSONl Witii'es'ssi (1E. Krmevna, Lem FAiiisiikvioE.

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